How Elite Universities Are Closing the Gender Gap in STEM While Others Fall Behind

In a comprehensive study by NYU researchers analyzing over **34 million bachelor's degrees** from 2002 to 2022, a stark contrast is observed in gender representation in PECS (physics, engineering, and computer science) degrees across different types of universities. **Selective institutions**, with high math SAT scores, have significantly improved their gender balance, reducing the male-to-female ratio from 2:1 to 3:2. Conversely, less selective universities experienced a **widening gender gap**, with the ratio escalating from 3:1 to 7:1. This divergence underscores a broader challenge in achieving gender equality in STEM fields. The study also highlighted that **women of color** face additional hurdles, remaining underrepresented even in universities making strides towards gender equality. These findings emphasize the need for tailored resource allocation, particularly to support less selective institutions struggling with recruitment and retention of women in PECS.